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MINUTES COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT Tuesday, September 7, 1999 3:30 P.M.
PRESENT: Chair: M. Kaplowitz. Members: V. Pinto; U. LaMotte; G. Latimer.
STAFF: Steve Bass; Rob Hoch.
ALSO PRESENT: Lori Brown, Clifford Gia, Karen & Jules Shultz (Sierra Club); Gudrun LeLash (FCWC); Fedora DeLucia (Muscoot Farm); Katherine McLoughlin (NY/LCV); Bill Randolph (CE’s Office).
The meeting was called to order at 3:30 p.m. The minutes of August 3rd were accepted and moved on the motion of Legislator LaMotte, seconded by Legislator Latimer, with a vote of 4-0.
Chair Kaplowitz reviewed correspondence next and noted that on August 6, 1999 there was a $500,000 budget appropriation for the Metro North/Hudson River Access survey, in which this Committee was commended for their efforts in helping to bring this issue to fruition. Chair then asked Gudrun LeLash to highlight the Fifth Annual Transportation Conference – “Meeting of the Minds”, which will be hosted by the Federation Conservationists, and will cover the future of the Tappan Zee Bridge. The Conference will be held at the Tarrytown Hilton on Tuesday, September 21st, - 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Wednesday, September 22nd, - 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.. Legislator LaMotte noted that Wednesday’s meeting time is in conflict with the scheduled Budget Committee meeting. Chair Kaplowitz suggested that Steve or another Program Analyst might be able to attend and represent the Board, and to also contact the Planning Department to find out if they plan to send a representative of the County. Ms. LeLash suggested that she would also ask Maureen Morgan to represent the Board.
MINUTES COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENTTUESDAY, September 7, 1999PAGE 2
In August, the members of the Agricultural Farmland Protection Board were appointed by the Chairman of the Board of Legislators, as recommended to the Environment Committee, noting that one member has retired, and a replacement person is pending. A newspaper clipping was presented in regard to cleaner-air in New York, and Chair Kaplowitz stated that the Committee has not done a lot of work in this area. Legislator LaMotte commented that her Transportation Sub-committee should look into this issue also. Chair mentioned that this issue will be the topic for a meeting before the end of the year, and asked Steve to follow through with scheduling.
A copy of the 1998-1999 Annual Report from the Westchester
County Pest Management Committee was received and officially noted by Chair
Kaplowitz. Chair suggested that the
appropriate sections be removed, copied and distributed to the Environment
Committee, and the entire Board of Legislators. Chair also noted that Roberta Wiernik forwarded two (2) official
requests (to Legislators Kaplowitz and Wishnie), for a Year 2000 budget request
(about $18,000) for a line in the Board of Legislators’ budget, to fund the
Pest Management Committee. This request
has been placed on the Board agenda for discussion at the next full Board
meeting. A constituent letter addressed
to John Hsu, Deputy Commissioner-Department of Public Works, was received by
Chair Kaplowitz. The letter was in
regard to several Pest Management Committee internal matters. The next correspondence memo was originally
received last year (dated 04/03/98) – the New York City Watershed Memorandum of
Agreement, East of Hudson Water Quality Investment Funds ($38M-$41M). The memorandum contains the opinion of who
controls the water quality, and what procedures must be followed. Northern Westchester Watershed Municipal
Officials continually met, and recently voted to begin the process, only
(not to expend the money). A copy will
be distributed to each Committee member.
This topic will be upcoming on the Committee calendar. The last correspondence was received from
Ms. LeLash (dated today, to Chairman G. Latimer) COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENTTUESDAY, September 7, 1999PAGE 3
regarding the quitclaim deed conveyance action (Saw Mill River Parkway), which will be one of the agenda items discussed in the Special Board Meeting today, at 5:30 p.m.
Legislator Pinto commented on the problem of the bacteria-carrying mosquitos, and the concern of constituents along the Bronx River Lakes. Since there is an abundance of weed overgrowth, their concern was if there has been any impact in the lake areas. It has been verified that the mosquitos have not yet appeared in Westchester County.
Next, Bob Funicello was introduced via speakerphone to
discuss agenda item B-6, Green Space Preservation at the Westchester County
Airport, regarding the $500K total project for an FAA study. Mr. Funicello
explained that this is not the Act, but only the proposal to study, to evaluate
whether the Airport should be expanded, or preserve the greenspace. He also emphasized that this study is not a
modification of the master-plan, it modifies the Airport layout plans, which is
a map on file with the FAA, and includes the National Guard property. Expansion is defined as: nothing will be done to the Airport that has
not been previously approved by the Master Plan Update (MPU),1986. If the study is approved as clarified by
County Executive Spano, no activity at the Airport should go
forward if there is any chance of an adverse environmental impact. Mr. Funicello stated that the Airport Master
Plan should be clarified regarding the intended use, as is. He noted that the Spano Administration
dosen’t want to build anything, what it wants to do, is better understand how
the Airport can be used within the existing constraints (MPU-1986). Also, to include within the Plan, the
ability to control land which presently is not controlled (i.e., the National
Guard Property). All of this is subject
to approval by the Board of Legislators, who will make the ultimate decision
regarding the final planning document. In
concluding, Mr. Funicello reiterated that the attempt is to plan for the COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENTTUESDAY, September 7, 1999PAGE 4
future use of the Airport in a way which is consistent with the policy of no expansion beyond what is currently contemplated under the MPU. Legislator LaMotte question the Air National Guard Property, and the status of the remaining hangars, and GE’s interest. Mr. Funicello replied that GE has signed a renewal on their existing lease, and will remain in their current hangars.
The proposed legislation to preserve green space at the Westchester County Airport was accepted by the Environment Committee on the motion of Legislator Pinto, seconded by Legislator Latimer, with all in favor, and signed out of Committee.
With no further business to discuss and on the motion of Legislator Pinto, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, the meeting adjourned at 4:50 p.m.
TAPE OF THE MEETING ON FILE. |